Demons (Darkness #4) (15 page)

Toa opened his mouth to reply, but Dominicous beat him to it. “The council needs strength and smarts, but they are old. They’ve been in power too long. They refuse to notice the world changing around them. It is why a faction of our kind are trying to push their way to the forefront of human society. It is why people like Trek have been allowed to cause so much havoc. A new bright star comes through, and the minions of these old, decrepit men get worried. They fear they’ll lose their position. So they do what any brutal, corrupt society would do: get rid of the competition.”

Dominicous stared at Stefan. Stefan stared back. The link colored with uncertainty. Stefan’s gaze shifted to mine slowly. “I’ll be fine. With Jonas and Jameson at my back, I’m covered.”

“Maybe,” Dominicous said slowly. “But without this clan at Sasha’s back, she is exposed. Jameson, I believe, did not alert her to the demon earlier. You instructed him not to. And he left it at that. He is
your
man, not this clan’s man, or he would have followed protocol.”

Stefan tensed.
But, just as quickly, eased back down. He leaned back. “I’m in a difficult position. I’ve marked her, so I have those obligations, but…”

“I understand.” Dominicous nodded. “I am also in a difficult position.
Family first. Survival of the species above all else. It doesn’t help, of course, that she’s human. It will take longer for her to gain support. But not to fear; we have Toa to think of all the possible strategies associated with this predicament.”

Toa, just about to say something, closed his mouth with a snap. His focus shifted sideways to Dominicous. “I wasn’t aware you planned to let on that you lack a sense of humor.”

Oh my god!
I couldn’t help a delighted grin. Dominicous made fun of Toa! How had he not mentioned they had this relationship?

Stefan reached under the table and put his hand on my knee, the link filtering his delight even though his face didn’t show it. He thought it was hilarious, too!

“Sasha, are you not planning to finish your burger?” Dominicous asked with a twinkle in his eyes. “I ordered it specifically for you. Bacon and all.”

“I know. Toa already filled me on my barbaric tastes…”

“Yes, of course, let’s make me the focal point of the tomfoolery.” Toa took a drink of his wine in distaste as everyone else stifled their laughter.

After dinner we moved back to the living room. I was absolutely delighted to learn how relaxed and good-natured Dominicous was. Also, what a tight-knit bond he had with Toa, even though they were complete opposites. They worked off each other well, one always having the answers if the other didn’t. And then, after a couple glasses of wine too many—I didn’t have nearly the mass that these guys did—I asked it. I couldn’t help myself.

“So, are you guys, like, a couple? ‘Cause I had thought you were, but you don’t really act like it the more I get to know you, so…”

“The closeness of our relationship comes from extensive battles,” Dominicous answered. “You develop a tight bond with someone you have fought beside and thought you’d die beside. For example, you have a close relationship with Charles born of close calls and loyalty. You are also now forming a relationship with Jonas.”

I eyed Stefan. He was staring back at me. “Not sexual,” I clarified, raising my hands in surrender. “I don’t like whipping people. Probably.”

“We prefer the opposite sex, when we are given the choice,” Toa explained patiently. “We don’t have the set rules and criteria humans do in this age. Humans didn’t used to be so rigid, of course. Back in the—”

“Forget I asked!” I said quickly. “Never mind. You dig sex. I get it.”

Toa blinked twice and allowed
himself to be distracted as he said, “But I do find the animal costumes strange. Stefan, I hope your people don’t practice—”

“Don’t even go there,” I cut him off again. “I asked that question once. No animals.”

When I had asked, Charles looked at me like I’d grown a third eye and also lost the use of my brain. Which was good, obviously, but still—it’s not like it was a far-out question.

‘I think it’s time for bed,” I said. “I get a day off tomorrow, and I’m going to take it.”

Dominicous nodded and stood. He wrapped me in a big hug, his smell strangely familiar. Like a blankie, long forgotten. It was then I felt it. A warmth resonating deep, deep within me. Past all the cobwebs and under a bunch of rubble, I could feel a pulsing warmth of enchantment coming from him.

The enchantment of a parent with an offspring.
His feelings for me, much stronger than before.

He backed off, surprised. His gaze flicked up to Stefan before he stepped back entirely. “I enjoyed spending this dawning with you, Sasha, and the night before it. I am sorry I didn’t take you with me that night, so long ago. I should have. I knew your family had died. I thought humans could take better care of their own. It seems I was wrong.”

My eyes started to sting. Stefan’s arm came around me. I said, “You saved my life. And I became me. And then ended up in the same spot. So I think it worked out all right.”

Dominicous smiled.

As Stefan and I made our way to our wing, Stefan said, “What shocked you? What happened?”

“I could
kinda feel his emotions. More than before.”

“He’s your
father, that might come in handy some time.” After a pause he said, “I enjoyed myself tonight. He and I … we have a lot in common. A lot of common ground. Under normal circumstances, we wouldn’t be able to speak so openly about it.”

“A night for many surprises.”

I got a squeeze. “Let’s just hope the surprises end with personalities behind closed doors.”

That would be nice. Somehow I doubted it, though.

Charles’ cell phone let off a shrill cry. Bleary eyed and sore-balled, Charles patted the nightstand. Squinting into the glare of its face, he tapped the answer button.

“What?”

“Charles? This is Rickie.”

“Yeah. I can read. What do you want? It’s the middle of the day.”

“Who’s supposed to be guarding Sasha today?”

“The Boss. You know, that crazy fucking male she’s nearly mated to? The one she sleeps with. The one that
has his own phone line!”

“Right.
Except, she’s got some visitors.”

Wanting to cry like a little bitch—Charles hated being woken up in the middle of a sleep cycle—he rubbed his face and sat up. His balls protested immediately. He should’ve stopped Jasmine from her kung
fu grip. And if her mouth wasn’t working wonders on his cock, he would’ve.

“Charles?”

“Great gods,
what?
Give a male a chance to get his thoughts in line, would ya? Who is it? Because if it’s a demon, I’m not the person to activate the phone tree.”

“A bunch of human women,” Rickie answered with a shaking voice. “One of them is pretty pushy. Has the mage’s card and everything.
Demanding to see her. And … they can see me. And this whole house…”

After a silent beat, in which Charles sat with his face in his palm, Rickie squeaked, “Did I mention that they’re human?”

Charles groaned and fell back into the bed. “
Night!
She told them to come around at
night
!”

“Excuse me, sir?”

“Call Jonas. It’s his turn.”

“Yes,
si—”

Charles hung up and stuffed the pillow over his face, shutting his eyes tight and letting his mind drift into the first stages of sleep.

His snooze was interrupted by a loud
crash.

Charles rocketed out of bed before he knew what was happening. The door slammed against the wall, rebounding back into Jonas’ outstretched hand. Jonas stood in the doorway naked, scratches and lacerations all down his front, some oozing red streaks. The doorframe lay splintered and devastated.

“What the hell, Jonas?” Charles yelled.

“My body is on fire,” Jonas growled. “Get your dumb ass up and go let those old crones in. They have magic.
Sasha’s form of magic. We need them.”

“You go get them,” Charles snarled back. “My balls feel like someone is yanking on '
em. I just got to sleep.”

“The day you can take a beating from a paddle with spikes in it, is the day I’ll give a shit. You’re first watch. I need to shower blood off, and then I’ll join you.
Go!”

For the first time in his life, Charles really wanted to go head-to-head with this headstrong jackass. He was sick of this bullheaded song and dance, and Charles was pretty sure he could hold his own and even the balance of dominance. Unfortunately, his balls did really hurt, and Jonas had a point.

“Screw it.” Charles snatched up some clothes and shoved past his prickly counterpart. He stalked through the mostly quiet hallways, daring anyone to ask him a question. He stomped down a couple steps before the throbbing in his crotch slowed him, and then made the rest of the way down gingerly. He really needed to start picking who he had sex with. There were plenty of females that
didn’t
get off on a man yelping.

The women stood in the front entryway, staring down an extremely uncertain Rickie. Birdie stood at the front, checking things out like an army captain surveying a battlefield. The others were there, too, waiting behind her like skittish baby horses.

“Ladies, I thought Sasha told you to come in the
evening?”
Charles asked as he sauntered up, squinting in the glare of the many windows.

The leader put her fists on her hips. “Where did this house come from? I have lived in this city all my life, and I have never seen this monstrosity out here on the outskirts.”

Charles rubbed his face. “You aren’t as susceptible to concealing spells anymore because you have a better grasp on your magic. It’s a weak spell, aimed mostly for humans. Hence, you are now seeing something that has been here all your life.”

“
Hmph.” She looked around, eyeing Rickie, who was standing guard in a terrified sort of way. “So this is real, then. All this. What we’ve been doing. Why are you only now making contact?”

“That’d be Sasha.
Our human. We don’t usually mess around with your kind. You’re prone to pushing red buttons that kill a lot of people.”

Her bushy eyebrows lowered over her eyes. “
Your
human? What is that supposed to mean? And just who do you think—”

She cut off as Jonas entered the room. All the nasty cuts and scrapes from his forays were hidden discreetly beneath a black turtleneck and equally black slacks.

“Look, ladies,” Charles said. “Why don’t you go and—”

“Come with us,” Jonas interrupted. His patient and relaxed gaze turned to Charles. “Lead the ladies up to the Purple Room. I’ll grab the mages and meet you there.”

“In the middle of the day? Sasha was drinking at dawn. She’s not going to be much good.”

A shadow passed over Jonas’ eyes, giving Charles a momentary thrill.

“I think you should let the mages make that decision,” Jonas said in a low voice.

Charles didn’t bother stifling the groan. “Okay, ladies, let’s go. We’re off to see the wizard.
Although, she’s not going to be so wonderful at this time of day.”

As they passed through the adjacent room, aiming for the hallway so they could go up a level to the large and formal Purple Room, he heard gasps behind him. All four women had
stopped midway through a lounge and were staring at a youngish male sitting on a couch naked, stroking his dick.

“Young man!”
Birdie hollered. “Just what do you think you’re doing with that thing? And why are you sitting in a communal area without a stitch? You march right up to your room this instant and put something on! And leave that thing alone—you’ll go blind!”

The male’s mouth dropped open. His bewildered gaze hit Charles, unsure what was happening and if he should follow this strange human’s command.

“What are you doing up so late?” Charles asked, a grin working up his face.

“Cramming for a test.
Just taking a break.” His hand slowly left his erection.

“Oh my god…” Delilah breathed, her wide eyes glued to his naked body. Her face went deep crimson as her hand drifted up to cover her mouth.

“Stop gawking, women!” Birdie demanded. Her accusing glare hit Charles. “What is going on here? What have you led us into?”

“Nice body, though,” one of the twins noticed quietly.

“Alright, come on.” Charles motioned them on. “You can talk to Sasha about our culture. Just be thankful you came when no one was around. We like to keep our downtime physical.”

“This was a bad idea,” Birdie muttered, slowing them down so she could peer into all the rooms she passed and squinting into crevices just in case other naked men lurked.

They filed into the Purple Room not much later, shortly thereafter joined by a fuzzy-faced Sasha. Her bleary gaze took in the women as she sank into a couch in the middle of the room. “Hi. Sorry for my appearance—we kind of operate in the nighttime here. Everyone is mostly asleep in the day.”

“Do you know what I saw on the way—
“ Birdie cut off as Toa’s perfectly quaffed blond head entered the room. The male looked like he’d had a full night’s sleep, a hairdresser, and a facial.

How did he do it?

Jonas walked in behind them, peeling away to the side and standing by the far wall.

“Hello,” Toa said, touching each of them with his gaze. “I hear you practice the art of Wicca. How extraordinary. I hope you don’t mind me assessing you, since you were gracious enough to show up today.”

The twins smiled, letting him direct them to take a seat. Delilah turned red again and followed suit.

“Fantastic,” Toa said as he sat gracefully next to Sasha. “Now, I wondered if you might call the…” Toa raised his eyebrows in silent question.

“Corners,” Birdie helped, preferring to stay standing. Probably wanted to scout out the shadows in the room to make sure there were no naked men hiding.

“Yes, of course. Please,” Toa gestured her toward a seat, “at your leisure.”

“He kind of looks like a vampire,” one of the twins muttered to the other, her smile taking up her whole face. “Like one of the cast members in
Twilight
.”

“He’s definitely hotter than Edward,” the other answered, giggling.

“Ladies,” Birdie admonished, finally settling directly onto the carpet in the middle of the room. “Join the circle and let’s call the corners.”

“Can I sit with you?” Sasha asked shyly.

“Of course, dear, come over. And your friend, too, if he likes.”

“I can observe from here,” Toa answered with a respectful nod. “Please, just go about your normal routine.”

The women settled in their circle, heads bowed and eyes closed. Except Sasha, who was looking around at the others, probably trying to feel what they were doing. After a few sighs, and some deep breathing, suddenly Sasha’s tired and haggard face bloomed with a smile. She closed her eyes in contentment.

“Unity, yes,” Toa noted, leaning forward in his seat.

Charles could feel the fan of Sasha, urging his magic higher. Urging him to fill his body and pull in just a little bit more. He let it, and then sat forward with Toa.

Electricity filled the air, calling to his magic, swirling around him. He connected with it, feeling a floral essence, as if rose petals fell softly across his body.

“That’s so neat,” Delilah said, her eyes opening and going right to him. “Is that you? Can you do this, too? It seems male.”

“You have linked with me, actually,” Toa said calmly. “It is not male. Magic is not relegated to sex. It is two poles, coming together. Think of it like a magnet. I had always wondered how it would feel. So natural—easier than with two like powers—but a delicate balance. If I pull just a bit…”

Delilah leaned forward, the wonder on her face clouding.

“Interesting,” Toa reflected. “Once linked, you can pull the focus of the magic. If you are not strong enough, or not knowledgeable enough, you will remain a pawn. I could use your magic, pulling through you. If I wasn’t worried about your welfare, I could drain your energy easily. It is similar to a like-magic link, but with more trust.
Less control. It is easier to maintain, but as such, easier to exploit.”

Delilah leaned away, as if released, confusion and fear crossing her face.

Toa glanced at Sasha. “But your magic isn’t exactly like theirs, Sasha. For you, a blood link is still better.”

“Barking up the wrong tree, Toa. We’ve talked about that,” Sasha said, face screwed up in concentration.

“Without a blood link, you can only rely on Stefan,” Toa countered. “And let’s not forget, links can be forced, blood or otherwise. You are exposed. All of you are exposed. We should pair everyone off, protect as much as we can here before we meet more of my kind. Not all are as gentle as this clan—they are not always as fair to humans.”

Sasha snorted. “Goodie. And I do rely on Stefan. With my whole being. So stop asking.”

“Who’ve I got?” Charles asked in wonder, wanting to reach forward and touch someone. He latched onto the link and pulled it toward him. Birdie leaned in, right before her face darkened and her eyebrows lowered. Before he knew what had happened, he was on his feet, the essence of flowers now a petal claw, grabbing his chest and yanking him. His energy sapped, his magic started to drain and close off.

Charles yanked back, magical tug-of-war, making Birdie grunt.

“She’s an orange,” Sasha said softly.
“And bold. She’s probably not afraid to club you, magically or otherwise.”

Suddenly, the link was infused with a shot of magic. All four elements blasted into his body, slamming him back in his chair. His hands flew up, trying to shield him from something he couldn’t see. Birdie
gasped, her face alight with joy and terror.

As fast as it began, it stopped. Sasha slumped. “Same thing that happens with you, Toa,” she said sadly. “My magic tries to fry everyone.
Even my own kind.”

Toa tapped his chin, his gaze losing focus. “You have all the elements, the polar opposite as me, but you are not controlling the flow. You fight the flow within you, not control it. You work with it in your own way, but you don’t take ownership of it.”

“Well, then, she needs a teacher, doesn’t she?” Birdie stated. Her hands found her hips again, even though she was sitting. “If that’s you, then you better figure it out. I’ve never seen such potential in my life.”